Nerve Electrode Temperature Sensing for Noise-Resistant RF Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring and transmitting temperature data to an RF energy generator due to noise interference in the cable, leading to decreased accuracy in surgical procedures like denervation.
Innovation Solution
The electrode apparatus includes a sensor unit with a thermocouple and a signal processor within the main body to directly convert analog signals into digital signals, reducing noise interference and enhancing accuracy by processing temperature measurements directly before transmission to the RF energy generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temperature data is transmitted through a cable from the electrode apparatus to the RF energy generator, then the measurement system can be simple and easy to manufacture, but noise interference decreases the accuracy of the measured temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical signal transmission system (analog signal through cable) with a digital signal processing system. The signal processor converts the analog temperature signal to a digital signal, substituting the vulnerable analog transmission with robust digital transmission that is less susceptible to noise interference during cable transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processor performs preliminary conversion of the analog temperature signal to a digital signal before transmission through the cable. This preliminary action (analog-to-digital conversion) protects the temperature data from noise interference during transmission, as digital signals are more resistant to noise than analog signals.
2Device complexity
If an analog signal is transmitted through a cable to the RF energy generator, then the device complexity is low, but noise in the cable decreases the accuracy of the measured temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the simple but noise-vulnerable analog signal transmission system with a slightly more complex system that includes a signal processor for analog-to-digital conversion. This substitution maintains reasonable device complexity while dramatically improving measurement precision by making the signal resistant to cable noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processor acts as an intermediary between the thermocouple and the RF energy generator. It converts the analog signal to digital format, serving as a mediator that protects the temperature information from degradation during cable transmission to the RF energy generator.
3Device complexity
If the voltage difference from the thermocouple is measured directly, then the measurement system is simple, but small noise significantly affects the accuracy since the voltage difference is as low as several μV per 1°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct measurement of the vulnerable low-voltage analog signal with a system that converts the signal to digital format. The signal processor performs analog-to-digital conversion, substituting the direct analog measurement approach with digital signal processing that is much more resistant to noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processor performs preliminary processing of the thermocouple signal by converting it to digital format before transmission. This preliminary conversion action protects the small voltage difference (several μV per 1°C) from being significantly affected by noise during cable transmission to the RF energy generator.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for precise temperature measurement and transmission, improving the accuracy of surgical procedures by minimizing signal errors and ensuring accurate RF energy output.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit formed in a predetermined portion of the electrode unit and configured to measure a temperature of the tube in the body
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode apparatus for blocking or controlling nerves in a body includes: a main body including a shaft; an electrode unit formed to be drawn out from one end of the shaft and configured to denervate or modulate at least a part of nerves on a tube in the body; an electrode guide including a plurality of joint units and a wire connecting the plurality of joint units to each other and configured to guide the electrode unit; a sensor unit formed in a predetermined portion of the electrode unit and configured to measure a temperature of the tube in the body; and a signal processor configured to convert an analog signal value measured by the sensor unit into a digital signal value and transmit the converted digital signal value to an RF energy generator.